climate

American  

[klahy-mit] / ˈklaɪ mɪt /

noun

1. the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.

2. a region or area characterized by a given climate.

   to move to a warm climate.

3. the prevailing attitudes, standards, or environmental conditions of a group, period, or place.

   a climate of political unrest.

   Synonyms:

   temper, tone, spirit, atmosphere, mood

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climate British  

/ ˈklaɪmɪt, klaɪˈmætɪk /

noun

1. the long-term prevalent weather conditions of an area, determined by latitude, position relative to oceans or continents, altitude, etc

2. an area having a particular kind of climate

3. a prevailing trend or current of feeling

   the political climate

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climate Scientific  

/ klī′mĭt /

1. The general or average weather conditions of a certain region, including temperature, rainfall, and wind. On Earth, climate is most affected by latitude, the tilt of the Earth's axis, the movements of the Earth's wind belts, the difference in temperatures of land and sea, and topography. Human activity, especially relating to actions relating to the depletion of the ozone layer, is also an important factor.

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climate Cultural  

1. A region's usual weather patterns. The climate at any point on Earth is determined by things such as the general movement of the atmosphere, the proximity of the oceans, and the altitude of the location.

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Usage

Climatic is sometimes wrongly used where climactic is meant. Climatic is properly used to talk about things relating to climate; climactic is used to describe something which forms a climax

Discover More

The climate also is affected by the sun, by changes in the orbit of the Earth, by plate tectonics, and by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, which may lead to a greenhouse effect.

Other Word Forms

• climatic adjective
• climatically adverb
• subclimate noun

Etymology

Origin of climate

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; 1595–1605 climate for def. 2; Middle English climat, from Latin clīmat- (stem of clīma ), from Greek klīmat- , stem of klī́ma “slope,” from klī́(nein) “to bend, lean, slope” + -ma, noun suffix

Explanation

The climate is the general weather in a particular region. Florida is known for its temperate climate. The word climate is also used figuratively to mean "the usual conditions," as in "It's a favorable climate for school reform." Climate descends from Greek klima "region, surface of the earth," and from klinein "to slope." The original use of the word climate in English was in reference to one of the sloping zones of the earth from the equator toward the poles. This meaning was often used to refer to weather conditions in a zone of the earth, which developed into the current meaning of "the weather."

Example Sentences

Prior to that, the German ZEW economic sentiment is due on Tuesday and the Ifo business climate index on Friday, both for April.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The research looks at the risks they pose and how climate change is reshaping when and where these sudden events occur.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

These efforts will help scientists understand how surging glaciers will respond to continued climate warming and how to reduce the risks they pose to communities around the world.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

City Administrative Officer Matthew Szabo is working on a separate Climate Action and Adaptation Plan meant to align with a state requirement that local governments maintain climate adaptation and resiliency strategies in their general plans.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It seemed this was no easy task in Peru’s jungle climate.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• atmosphere
• environment
• feeling
• mood
• surroundings
• trend